Electric taxis are powered up for the Capital's streets

Electric taxis may soon be on the streets of Edinburgh after councillors approved plans to change licensing conditions.

Members of the Regulatory Committee agreed to amend the City of Edinburgh Council’s licence requirements so that electricity-powered cars can be used as taxis and private hire vehicles (PHVs).

The results of a public consultation into the proposal were revealed in a report to committee members this week.

Councillor Gavin Barrie, Convener of the Regulatory Committee, said: “The report recommended a change to the licensing rules because the current conditions, which were set in 2006, allowed cars powered by liquid fuel only.

“This change will take into account advances in vehicle performance technology, and will give drivers the option of using cars that can be less damaging to the environment and will improve air quality, through reductions in harmful carbon emissions.”